Walk Description

Wycoller is a small hamlet a few miles south-east of Colne.  Wycoller is a car free zone, so we met at the Country Park car park approx 0.5km from Wycoller and walked down the footpath into the pretty hamlet.  We spent some time photographing the Pack Horse bridge and the remains of Wycoller Hall before setting out along the old lane towards Turnhole Clough, stopping at the Clam Bridge for another set of photos.  We took the small path through the woods alongside Turnhole Clough.  The bracken had grown considerably since I was last here in May and at made walking difficult at times.  Eventually the we left the side of the stream, climbed the steep bank and rejoinede a clearer footpath.  It wasn't long before we reached the very substantial bridge across the stream near Brinks End.  The bridge seems to be far too big and sturdy for such a small stream, however previous smaller bridges have been washed away during flash floods. 

We now joined the Bronte Way and Pendle Way as followed an old packhorse route above Saucer Hill Clough and along to Boulsworth Dyke Farm.  Shortly after this we reached the foot of the old permissive path which once over was the only legal access route on Boulsworth Hill and was known as the Boulsworth Hill Circular Walk.  Now, thanks to the CROW Act there is legal access to the whole of the Boulsworth Hill area.  As we left the the Pendle way the path deteriorated very quicky and we followed an extremely boggy path up the slopes of Bedding Hill Moor.  We quickly gained height and soon had views towards Pendle Hill and over Colne.  The others made easy work of the steep slope up to the Abbott Stone and when I eventuially reached them, they were well rested and raring to go again.  The Abbott Stone marks the end of the steepest part of the climb and it wasn't long before the stones of Lad Law came into view.  As we gained the ridge the wind hit us and the temperature seemed to drop dramatically.  No-one stayed long at the trig and soon we were searching for somewhere sheltered to sit for lunch.  This proved more difficult that we had thought as the wind seemed to penetrate us no matter where we tried to shelter.  We quickly decided not to explore the ridge further and turned away from the chance of exploring the Saucer Stones, Fox Stones and Crow Hill Wague, instead we followed the permissive path past the Little Chair Stones and back down to the Pendle Way near Spoutley Lumb. 
 
We then retraced our steeps to the bridge across Turnhole Clough, but instead of walking along side of the Clough, we followed the Bronte Way to Dean House and then back to Wycoller.  Just after we reached the tarmac lane the skies darkened and it began to rain heavily.  So after donning our waterproofs we quickly made our way to the small cafe for our after walk cup of tea/coffee and a slice of cake. 

Once again we had walked on a Bank Holiday Saturday and had had the paths and moors almost to ourselves.  Thanks to Dave, Richard, Ed, Simon and Steve for joining me on this walk.
 

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.